Republican incumbent for 30th State Senate district ready and able to tackle state economic slide

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, October 16, 2008

An admirer of Teddy Roosevelt, Republican 30th District State Sen. Andrew Roraback embraces the late president's leadership style to pursue unchartered, even unpopular, paths for the greater good.

In seeking a fifth-term, the 48-year-old Goshen legislator said he intends to take a tough stand to cut spending so as to limit a growing deficit -now estimated at $800 million - without requiring higher taxes. His opponent in this race is Democrat Michael Renzullo of Winsted.

"We can't tax our way to prosperity,'' said Roraback, a lawyer who before his election to the State Senate spent six years in the state House.

He said he believes the next two years will be pivotal ones when it comes to making hard choices about retooling the state's economy without losing critical services.

The state's educational cost sharing formula is "deeply flawed'' but until the legislature can correct the budget problem such issues are put on the back burner, Roraback said.

When the economy struggles, Roraback said there is higher demand for government services even as the ability to deliver them is compromised.

If money were no object, Roraback said he would preserve all the remaining farmland across the state and ensure completion of the Brookfield Route 7 bypass project ahead of schedule.

Something of a policy "wonk,'' Roraback said he savors debate meant to position the state so it can deliver the most at the lowest cost. Across the state, businesses and corporations are streamlining operations but he does not see state government following suit.

"So we have our work cut out for us,'' Roraback said.

With the challenges ahead, Roraback said he is even more committed and equipped with skills to do the public's work than he was when he was a freshman legislator.

"I'm at a point in my (legislative) career where I've figured some things out and where I believe I can do more for the people I represent," said Roraback, the Senate Deputy Minority Leader Pro Tempore and minority caucus chairman who serves on the Judiciary committee and several other key committees.

He has an impeccable voting record; the only member of the General Assembly to cast all 6,840 votes in his career.

"I still think I have the best job in Connecticut,'' said Roraback who is known for strong constituent service. "And there's unfinished business.''